Party Leaders Pledge to Advocate for Violence-free Workplaces for Nurses

With the election campaign in full swing, BC Nurses' Union regional representatives have been asking all provincial general election candidates, from all parties, to sign a pledge to keep nurses safe and promote a violence-free workplace for nurses.

Well over 100 candidates have been convinced to lend their signature to the cause, including Liberal leader, Christy Clark, NDP leader, John Horgan and Greens leader, Andrew Weaver.

In addition to reducing the risk of violence at health care facilities, the pledge also asks candidates to ensure there are enough nurses at all times to manage care safely, establish security and Code White standards that protect nurses from aggression and provide properly trained security, 24/7. BCNU is also asking candidates to support a modification of the Criminal Code of Canada to make violence against a nurse an "aggravated circumstance" for sentencing purposes, as it is already for transit operators.

While BCNU continues to collect signatures and support, there are still many candidates who have yet to tell nurses that if elected to the BC legislature, they will make it a priority to ensure the safety of patient care and the nurses providing it. Ask your candidate if they've signed the pledge to #HelpKeepNursesSafe.

You can also send a message to decision-makers to help keep nurses safe. Tell the presidents and CEOs of BC's health authorities that they need to act immediately to ensure the safety of patient care and the nurses providing it, and to create a violence-free workplace.